1:47pm: Warren’s second 10-day contract with the Timberwolves is official, the club confirmed in a press release. It’ll run through March 25, covering Minnesota’s next five games.
1:02pm: The Timberwolves are bringing back forward T.J. Warren on a second 10-day contract, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Warren’s first 10-day deal with the club came to an end on Friday night.
Warren, who had been out of the NBA for the entire 2023/24 season before signing with Minnesota earlier this month, was thrust into an immediate rotation role for the team due to Karl-Anthony Towns‘ injury absence.
In four games, Warren averaged 4.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 16.0 minutes per game during his first 10 days from the team. He made just 1-of-7 three-pointers (14.3%), but was 8-of-12 (66.7%) from inside the arc.
Warren, who is now 30 years old, isn’t quite as effective a scorer as he was earlier in his career since a left foot injury cost him nearly two full seasons from 2020-22. However, he still has a scoring average of 14.5 PPG on .506/.352/.780 shooting in 378 career regular season contests.
Given that Warren played regular minutes on his first 10-day contract and Minnesota only has 13 players on standard, full-season contracts, a second 10-day deal doesn’t come as a real surprise. Once this second contract expires, the Wolves will have to decide whether or not to sign him for the rest of the season.
Warren will earn $167,004 on his 10-day deal, while Minnesota carries a cap hit of $116,075. The club will still have an open spot on its 15-man standard roster with Warren back under contract.
Bubble TJ Warren might be my favorite NBA myth
What about his bubble performance was a myth? He scored over 30 in 4 of the 10 games, including 53 and 39 point performances that were efficient. He cooled off but still finished with 21+ in 3 of his last 4 games.